Norm Dulak
02-19-2009, 06:43 PM
Nikon D300; Sigma 300-800 mm f/5.6 @ 800 mm; ISO 1000, f/6.3, 1/1600 sec.
A couple of days ago I set up my camera on the edge of my property overlooking Fairlee Creek in Maryland. Each winter I am privileged to host dozens of tundra swans and a few trumpeter swans that overwinter on my creek. My objective was to photograph some of the swans, which usually just paddle around the creek uneventfully. But occasionally, the swans get together for some really frenzied action. That happened very near the shore, partially obscured by some tall reeds at the water's edge. The image I've posted shows this action.
The image is unusual in that the reeds made ghost-like images in some of the photographs. More importantly, the violent spray of water raised by the swans caught the early evening sunlight and caused my camera metering system to make parts of the swans and the background water relatively quite dark. While I could adjust those elements somewhat in Photoshop, I've decided not to because I think that the high contrast emphasizes the action and creates a more artistic image. I've also made no effort to deal with noise in the image, for the same reason.
What do you think about this image? Can you suggest a way to make it better?
Norm Dulak
A couple of days ago I set up my camera on the edge of my property overlooking Fairlee Creek in Maryland. Each winter I am privileged to host dozens of tundra swans and a few trumpeter swans that overwinter on my creek. My objective was to photograph some of the swans, which usually just paddle around the creek uneventfully. But occasionally, the swans get together for some really frenzied action. That happened very near the shore, partially obscured by some tall reeds at the water's edge. The image I've posted shows this action.
The image is unusual in that the reeds made ghost-like images in some of the photographs. More importantly, the violent spray of water raised by the swans caught the early evening sunlight and caused my camera metering system to make parts of the swans and the background water relatively quite dark. While I could adjust those elements somewhat in Photoshop, I've decided not to because I think that the high contrast emphasizes the action and creates a more artistic image. I've also made no effort to deal with noise in the image, for the same reason.
What do you think about this image? Can you suggest a way to make it better?
Norm Dulak